Beaded strand and connector therefor



NOV. 2, 1965 s DQNLE 3,214,900

BEADED STRAND AND CONNECTOR THEREFOR Filed March 16,. 1962 [n 2162: (for; Edwin S. 1707a Ze,

z M g gy United States Patent 3,214,900 BEADED STRAND AND CONNECTOR THEREFOR Edwin S. Donle, Warwick, R.I., assignor to Cure, line, a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 16, 1962, Ser. No. 180,270 3 Claims. (Cl. 5982) The present invention relates to a chain construction. More particularly, the present invention relates to a beaded strand and connector therefor wherein a plurality of ornamental members are releasably interconnected in articulated relation by a plurality of metallic connecting elements.

The present invention has particular application to ornamental articles such as a beaded strand, necklace or the like, the beaded strand or necklace being comprised of a plurality of metallic members that are normally shelllike or hollow in construction and further being detachably secured together so that one ornament may be readily connected to or disconnected from another to make a strand of ornaments of any desired length. The hollow ornaments are preferably formed with openings therein of a predetermined diameter, the openings being located in opposed relation in the wall of the ornament. A novel connecting element is provided and is formed with oppositely extending flexible portions that are contractable upon insertion through the ornament openings to permit entry of the flexible portions within the openings. The flexible portions are constructed and arranged so as to be detachably locked within the hollow ornaments and thereby interconnect the ornaments in detachable and articulated relation.

The hollow ornaments and the connecting elements are both preferably formed of metallic material, the interconnecting of the ornaments being accomplished through the flexibility of the projecting portions of the connecting elements that extend into the interior of the ornaments.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a chain construction that includes a plurality of metallic members that are releasably interconnected in articulated relation by a plurality of metallic connecting elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a beaded ornamental strand that includes a plurality of hollow metallic members that are releasably interconnected by metallic connectors.

Still another object is to provide a connector for use in a beaded strand that is formed with oppositely extending flexible portions that are adapted to project into suit able openings formed in bead members.

Still another object is to provide a connector for use in a beaded strand which includes oppositely extending spring fingers that cooperate to define a coupling element for releasably interconnecting an ornamental bead to the connector.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by me for carrying out my invention:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view with portions cut away to show the position of one form of a connector that is adapted to detachably interconnect the ornamental members in articulated relation;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blank from which a connecting element is fabricated, the outline of the part to be punched out and formed being illustrated in dotted lines;

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FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a portion of two ornamental members with portions broken away to show a modified form of a connecting element that releasably joins the ornamental members in articulated relation;

FIG. 5 is a plan View of a blank from which the connecting element shown in FIG. 4 is formed, the outline of the part to be punched out when fabricated being shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a stop element that is used in conjunction with the modified form of connecting element illustrated in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a pair of ornaments showing a further modified form of connecting element disposed in connecting relation therebetween.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one from of the invention embodied herein is illustrated. In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 and in the modifications to be described hereinafter, a plurality of ornamental members 10 are utilized and are preferably constructed of a metallic material that may be coated to a highly ornamental finish. The ornamental members 10 are preferably hollow in construction to define a shell and are formed with opposed openings 12 and 14 that are located in aligned relation with respect to the axis of the ornamental members. The ornamental members 10 are adapted to be releasably interconnected in articulated relation so as to form a beaded strand or necklace, or the like, and for this purpose a plurality of connecting elements are provided, one of which is generally indicated in FIG. 1 at 16. The connecting element 16 defines one form of a connector embodied in the present invention and is preferably fabricated from blank form as illustrated in FIG. 3. The blank indicated at 18 in FIG. 3 is punched out along the dotted lines as indicated to form opposed legs 20, 22 and 24, 26. Formed inter: mediate the legs of the connecting element 16 are a plurality of lugs 28 that define stops as will hereinafter be desribed. Spring fingers are defined by the legs 20, 22 and 24, 26 and radiate from a central portion that defines an intermediate section 29 that is located between the outwardly projecting spring fingers in their folded position as will be described.

After the connecting element has been stamped out as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3, opposed legs 20, 22 are folded in opposite relation with respect to opposed legs 24, 26. Both sets of legs are formed in a substantially curved configuration so as to define spring fingers that form a resilient portion of the connecting element 16. In forming the spring fingers of the connecting element 16, the curvature thereof is predetermined so that the maximum width between the spring fingers is greater than the diameter of the openings 12 and 14. However, the maximum dimension between opposed lugs 28 is greater than the diameter of the openings 12 and 14, the lugs 28 thereby cooperating to define stops for the connecting element 16. Since the curvature of the spring fingers that are formed by bending the legs 20, 22 in the manner shown in FIG. 1 defines a resilient portion, insertion of the spring fingers into the opening 14 will releasably lock the connecting element 16 in the left-hand ornament 10 as seen in FIG. 1. Once the maximum curvature portion of the spring fingers 20, 22 has cleared the opening 14, the flexible portion of the connecting element 16 defined by the spring fingers 20, 22 will then be releasably locked within the interior of the left ornament 10. Since the opposed lugs 28 are greater in dimension than the opening 14, they will engage the outer surface of the left ornament 10 adjacent the opening 14 and will cooperate with the spring fingers 20, 22 to releasably lock the connecting element 16 within the opening 14.

The oppositely directed spring fingers defined by the legs 24, 26 are inserted through the opening 12 in the middle ornament 10 as seen in FIG. 1 in a manner similar to' that described. Since the maximum width of the spring fingers is greater than the diameter of the opening 12, the spring fingers will be compressed upon insertion thereof in the opening 12. As soon as the point of maximum width passes through the opening 12, the middle ornament 10 will be releasably locked in place on the connecting element 16. The opposed lugs 28 are also greater in width than the diameter of the opening 12 and define a stop that cooperates with the spring fingers formed by the legs 24, 26 to releasably lock the middle ornament 10 in position.

Since there is a certain amount of play of the ornarhents 10 in the locked position on the connecting elements 16, they are located in articulated relation with respect to each other. A complete strand of ornaments 10 may then be interconnected by means of the connecting elements 16 to form an ornamental chain, bracelet, necklace or the like. When it is necessary to release any of the ornaments 10 from the strand, it is only necessary to exert an outwardly directed force on the ornaments with respect to the connecting elements 16. The ornament will then be pulled from the interlocked position on the connecting element 16, the curvature of the spring fingers providing for easy release of the ornaments 10 from the connecting element 16. Y Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a modified form of connecting element is illustrated and is generally indicated at 30. Connecting element 30 is adapted to be utilized in conjunction with the ornaments in the manner described above and is generally similar to the connecting element 16. A shown in FIG. 5, the connecting element 30 is formed from a flat blank 32 and is stamped out to form a plurality of spring fingers 34, 36; 38, 40; and 42, 44. The spring fingers 34 through 44 radiate from a central portion 46 that defines an intermediate neck section when the spring fingers are folded to their outwardly projecting position as will be described. In the folding operation, the spring fingers 34, 40 and 44 are folded in one direction to form a resilient portion, while the fingers 36, 38 and 42 are folded in the opposite direction to define an oppositely disposed resilient portion.

As shown in FIG. 5, the spring fingers are formed from the blank 32 so as to be spaced apart from each other approximately 60 degrees. When the spring fingers are bent in opposite directions as described wherein fingers 34, 40 and 44 are bent in one direction and fingers 36, 38 and 42 are bent in the opposite direction, those fingers that are bent in the same direction are located approximately 120 degrees apart at the base of intermediate section 46. The finger construct-ion of the modified form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 4 and thus is distinct from the finger construction illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 in that three fingers are provided for each flexible portion that are spaced approximately 120 degrees apart. In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the spring fingers that are bent in the same direction are spaced approximately 180 degrees apart. It is understood that in the bent position the spring fingers in both forms of the invention as described are located in adjacent relation to define the flexible portions having a maximum width that is greater than the diameter of the openings 12 and 14.

Since there are six spring fingers in the form of the invention described in FIG. 5 as opposed to the four spring fingers in the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the lugs 28 have been replaced by the additional spring fingers. Consequently, when the spring fingers are folded to the position shown in FIG. 4, unless some provision is made for including a stop, the intermediate section 46 would slide within the opening 12 or 14 of the ornaments 10. In order to positively 1ocate the connecting element 30, a pair of stop discs 48 and 50 are provided and are formed with appropriate openings defined by three communicating slots 52. The

slots 52 and the discs 48 and 50 are arranged to accommodate the three spring fingers of each flexible portion that are located in opposed relation. As shown in FIG. 4, the stop discs 48 and 50 cooperate with the intermediate section 46 to define stop mean for the connecting element 30 and positively locate the connecting element 30 within the ornaments 10. The flexible portions of the connecting element 30 defined by the oppositely disposed curved spring fingers are inserted into the openings 12 and 14 of the ornaments 10 as described above. It is apparent that the bowed configuration of the spring fingers provides for forcing of the flexible portions of the connecting element 30 within the openings 12 and 14, the spring fingers being compressed to permit entry of the flexible portions within the interior of the ornaments 10. The wide dimensions of the flexible portions cooperate with the stop discs 48 and 50 to releasably retain the connecting element 30 within the openings 12 and 14.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a further modified form of the invention is illustrated and includes a connecting element generally indicated at 54 that is formed in a flat, one-piece construction. The connecting element 54 is fabricated from thin spring stock and has a central slot 56 formed therein that extends longitudinally of the connecting element 54 and substantially the length thereof. Formed intermediate the ends of the connecting element 54 is an intermediate section 58, the width of which is substantially greater than the diameter of the openings 12 and 14. The intermediate section 58 thus defines a stop for the connecting element 54. Located on opposite sides of the intermediate section 58 are opposed cam sur faces 60, 62 and 64, 66. The cam surfaces 60, 62 and 64, 66 define enlarged areas, the width of which is somewhat greater than the diameter of the openings 12 and 14. However, by reason of the central longitudinal slot 56, a flexing movement is produced when the cam surfaces are moved in contact with the sides of the openings 12 or 14. An inwardly directed force will then cause the cam surfaces to be squeezed through the opening, thereby releasably locking the flexible portion of the connecting ele-' ment 54 within the openings 12 or 14. Since a reduced neck section is defined between the enlarged intermediate section 58 and the cam surfaces 60, 62 and 64, 66, the connecting element 54 will be loosely locked in position within the ornaments 10 and thereby interconnect the ornaments 10 in articulated relation. The ornaments 10 may be strung together in strand form, being interconnected by the connecting elements 54 to form a beaded strand of any desired length.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying in ventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a chain construction, a plurality of ornamental members having a shell construction and being formed with aligned opposed openings, a plurality of connecting elements for interconnecting said ornamental members in articulated relation, each of said connecting elements being formed with oppositely extending curved spring fingers, said spring fingers cooperating to define contractible portions that are insertable into said openings for releasably interconnecting adjacent members, said' connecting elements being formed from blank flat stock and constructed such that each spring finger that projects outwardly on one side thereof is spaced substantially degrees from an adjacent spring finger that projects oppositely with respect thereto.

2. In a chain construction as set forth in claim 1, an intermediate section interconnecting said spring fingers, a plurality of stop fingers joined to said intermediate section and extending outwardly therefrom in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting elements to which said intermediate section is joined, said stop fingers projecting beyond the sides of said openings and defining a stop to prevent insertion of a connecting element in an ornamental member beyond the intermediate section.

3. In a connector for use in a chain construction, an intermediate section having opposed flexible portions joined thereto, said opposed flexible portions being defined by at least two bowed spring fingers that extend outwardly of said intermediate section in a direction generally transverse to the plane thereof, and stop means associated with said intermediate portion and being provided for limiting movement of said connector when said flexible portions are inserted in an opening of an ornament employed in said chain construction, said spring fingers being initially formed from a flat blank such that four spring fingers are defined, each of which is spaced 90 degrees from an adjacent spring finger, the oppositely dis- 20 posed spring fingers or those that are located 180 degrees apart being bent in overlying spaced relation and being disposed in a direction that is opposed to the other spring fingers.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/58 Great Britain. 6/38 Netherlands.

WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON, Primary Examiner.

HUNTER C. BDURNE, JR., Examiner. 

1. IN A CHAIN CONSTRUCTION, A PLURALITY OF ORNAMENMTAL MEMBERS HAVING A SHELL CONSTRUCTION AND BEING FORMED WITH ALIGNED OPPOSED OPENINGS, A PLURALITY OF CONNECTING ELEMENTS FOR INTERCONNECTING SAID ORNAMENTAL MEMBERS IN ARTICULATED RELATION, EACH OF SAID CONNECTING ELEMENTS BEING FORMED WITH OPPOSITELY EXTENDING CURVED SPRINGS FINGERS, SAID SPRING FINGERS COOPERATING TO DEFINE CONTRACTIBLE PORTIONS THAT ARE INSERTABLE INTO SAID OPENINGS FOR RELEASABLY INTERCONNECTING ADJACENT MEMBERS, SAID CONNECTING ELEMENTS BEING FORMED FROM BLANK FLAT STOCK AND CONSTRUCTED SUCH THAT EACH SPRING FINGER THAT PROJECTS OUTWARDLY ON ONE SIDE THEREOF IS SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY 90 DEGREES FROM AN ADJACENT SPRING FINGER THAT PROJECTS OPPOSITELY WITH RESPECT THERETO. 